At the same time it was revealed that the club are preparing to hand Eden Hazard a new £200,000-a-week contract to keep him out of the clutches of Paris Saint Germain.

Chelsea's bid for Fabregas came just 24 hours after Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa passed a medical ahead of his £32m switch to the Bridge. But Chelsea are also hopeful of tying up a £14m deal for Atletico Madrid defender Filipe, as well as the free transfer signing of Atletico midfielder Tiago this weekend.

Both are set to fly in to London this weekend to complete what will be a spectacular £46m raid by Roman Abramovich on the Champions League finalists.

Hazard was presented with the new five-year deal before he left for the World Cup with Belgium and is expected to sign it on his return.

Chelsea are desperate to keep Hazard and have also handed the 23 year old the coveted No10 shirt to wear next season.

The former Lille star had three years left of his current £170,000-a-week deal and was already top earner at the club.